1955 | Austin A 30 Seven

The Austin A30 was designed to be the natural successor to the Austin Seven, minimalist transport but for the modern post-war family on a budget. Introduced in May 1952 at a price of £507. It was Austin’s first unitary construction body (Pressed steel structure - no separate body and chassis) and was, at the time very modern and particularly light, able to achieve economy of 42mpg, and a top speed of 67mph with a very high 4th gear. It was the first use of the state of the art ‘A Series engine’, which went on to power Minis, MG Midgets and Sprites, 1100s and Maestros well into the 1990s. In the first instance though the 803cc A30 produced 28bhp. It had modern independent front suspension and hydraulic front brakes. The first A30s were all four-door, but three doors like this one arrived in 1953. Designed to run on poor post war rationed fuel, the A30 was a great success, designed to compete with the Morris Minor, which it undercut by £62.

223,264 units were sold before the uprated A35 took over with a more powerful 34hp engine making use of better fuel quality in 1956 and giving better performance. Outwardly it was possible to tell the newer A35 by the larger rear window, a painted grille with chrome surround and direction indicator lights replacing the semaphores in the B Post. Apart from the rear window nearly every difference was interchangeable.

This smart looking A30 was first registered in April 1955 and has survived very well with 11 owners who have put 83500 miles on the odometer. It has had a full respray in its original Grey, with authentic cream-coloured wheels. The overall body condition is very good, as are the chassis components. The interior has been sympathetically retrimmed in pale burgundy and the engine bay and boot compartment are very well presented. The Austin will be freshly serviced for its next owner, ready to use and enjoy without the need for any major work. This is a mechanically strong example, its great on the road with a lovey sweet, fit engine and gearbox and will not disappoint.